Rep. Berg Plans Senate Run in N.D.

Freshman Rep. Rick Berg (R., N.D.) announced Monday afternoon he will run for the Senate in 2012.

The early entry could help ensure the race is an easy pickup for Republicans. Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad announced in January that he won’t seek re-election, and no Democrat has yet stepped up to run. Mr. Berg, North Dakota’s only House member, has already won a statewide contest, knocking out nine-term Democratic Rep. Earl Pomeroy amid 2010’s GOP wave.

“To change Washington we need to change the Senate,” Mr. Berg said in his video announcement. “President Obama, Harry Reid and Senate Democrats have stopped real reforms. That’s why I’m running to be North Dakota’s senator, to bring much-needed change to the Senate.”

Another Republican, Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk, is also running.

Democrats pounced Monday on how quickly Mr. Berg is seeking a promotion.

“Rick Berg hasn’t even introduced a bill, and he is already asking North Dakotans for a promotion,” said Matt Canter, spokesman for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, in a written statement. “North Dakotans need leaders who will stand up for them, not hyper ambitious politicians like Rick Berg who want to end Medicare and drastically cut nursing home care for seniors.”